Device and method for transporting elongate objects using a pick-up truck

ABSTRACT

A device for securing ladders to a vehicle having telescoping cross bar having pivotal arms pivotally attached at each end of the telescoping cross bar, respectively, the telescoping crossbar having a receiving portion and an insertion portion, the insertion portion and receiving portion sized such that there is a close fit when inserting the insertion portion into the receiving portion, each pivotable arm has an arm body that includes a pivot arm aperture, at each distal end of the insertion portion and receiving portion are at least one pivot tang, also located at each distal end of the insertion portion and receiving portion is a ladder insertion tang, the ladder insertion tangs are attached to projecting tabs on the distal ends and are inwardly directed, and the receiving portion includes a movement limiting mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device and method used inloading and transporting lengthy objects on a pick-up truck. Morespecifically, the present invention is a device and method for securingthe lengthy objects to the pick-up truck such that they do not easilyshift during transportation.

BACKGROUND

Pick-up trucks are designed to safely transport objects of certaindimensions. However, when objects exceed these certain dimensions, theyare more likely to shift in transport and even leave the vehicle. Thisusually occurs when the object is lengthy and has been propped againsteither the cab or the tailgate of the pickup truck. Examples are foundin the transport of ladders, long boards, poles, and other lengthyobjects.

Indeed, anyone who has traveled on the highways of an urban area hasseen where improperly secured objects, such as ladders, boards and thelike, have fallen out of a transporting vehicle and partially, orcompletely, obstructs the roadway. These are very dangerous situations.

The prior art shows numerous different attempts to address this andother needs. One commonly found solution is a rack that is mounted tothe pick-up bed. The rack may or may not include a portion thatoverhangs the cab of the truck. While this aids in the transport oflengthy objects, it still relies upon the user to properly secure theobjects to the rack. Also, for aesthetic and other reasons many vehicleowners will not mount a rack onto the bed of their truck. An example ofthis type of prior art device is fund in U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,644, issuedto Coleman. This patent discloses a load carrying rack that is mountedonto a vehicle roof. The rack includes straps for securing the load tothe rack device. Another example of this type of prior art device isillustrated in the drawings contained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,760 issuedto Wright, et al. Yet another example is found in U.S. Pat. No.3,884,404, issued to Frost.

Another prior art device is a multi-piece racking systems. An example ofa multi-piece rack is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,990, issued toWhiting. In this patent, there are two pieces to the racking system. Afront piece that is mounted onto the cab of the truck, and a rear piecethat is mounted onto the rear bumper of the truck. The large or longobject to be transported is then placed upon the front and rear pieces.Straps are provided on each separate piece to secure the object beingtransported to the racking system. However, this entails the lengthyprocess of mounting and dismounting the separate pieces onto the truck.Further, it is a large bulky unit that is undoubtedly expensive anddifficult to store. Yet another example is found in U.S. Pat. No.3,884,404, issued to Frost.

Another type of solution has been to provide devices that are designedto protect specific portions of the truck exterior, such as the cab orthe tailgate. An example of a cab protective device is found in U.S.Pat. No. 4,984,837, issued to Dise. This patent discloses a device thatis mounted to a side portion of the cab, and extends over the topportion of the cab. Long objects are placed in the bed of the truck suchthat they extent over the cab and rest upon the device of the Disepatent. There are side arms that project upward to prevent the objectsfrom sliding laterally off of the cab of the truck. Another example isfound in U.S. Pat. No. 3,047,161, issued to Thacker. This device is arack that mounts immediately behind the cab and projects up past the topof the cab. Long objects that extend past the cab are supported over thecab, thereby protecting the surface of the cab. Additionally, as in theDise patent discussed above, there are portions of the rack that projectup past the central portion to prevent unwanted lateral movement of thesupported objects.

An example of a tailgate protecting device may be found in U.S. Pat. No.4,389,067, issued to Rubio. This patent discloses a small rack that ismounted onto a top portion of the tailgate and that projects upwardabove the tailgate. Thus, objects that are placed in the bed of thetruck and that extend past the tailgate rest upon the mounted rack anddo not mar the surface of the tailgate. This device does not, however,address the problem of lateral movement of the supported object. Anotherexample of a tailgate protection device may be found in US Design PatentNo. DES. 387,722, issued to Fujinaka. This patent illustrates a devicethat appears to be mountable onto a top portion of the truck tailgateand that supports transported objects. As with the Fujinaka patentabove, this device does not address the problem of lateral movement ofthe transported object.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,400, issued to Karp discloses a complexsystem of cab and tailgate protectors used in combination with a seriesof straps. A cab protector is mounted onto the cab, a tailgate protectoris mounted onto the tailgate and the object is supported on the twoprotectors. Then a series of straps are attached to the truck at avariety of points, such as strap hooks and gutters commonly found onpick-up trucks. These straps securely hold the supported object to theprotective devices.

However, there is still a clear and continuing need for devices andmethods that aid in the transport of lengthy objects on a pick-up truck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and methodfor the transport of lengthy objects on a pick-up truck.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device andmethod for the transport of lengthy objects on a pick-up truck thatsecurely holds the transported object and limits unwanted lateralmovement of the transported object.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device andmethod for the transport of lengthy objects on a pick-up truck that issmall and portable.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a smallportable device for the transport of lengthy objects that clamps ontothe lengthy object for easy use.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its structure and its operation togetherwith the additional object and advantages thereof will best beunderstood from the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words andphrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art orarts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification willspecifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word orphrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in theDescription of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate adesire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 todefine the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s),the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for”and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure,material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recitea “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also reciteany structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, thenthe intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended thatthe inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, materialor acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but inaddition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that performthe claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developedequivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimedfunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the present invention in anextended position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the attachment of the present invention to a lengthyobject. The ladder is shown crosshatched.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The device and method according to the present invention are useful forlimiting unwanted movement of lengthy objects being transported by apick-up truck. More specifically, the present invention helps preventthe loss of these lengthy objects during transport.

With reference to the figures, the device according to the presentinvention is comprised of a rack device 10 for lengthy object that isused simultaneously on a ladder or other elongated object.

In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the device 10comprises a telescoping cross bar 70 having pivotal arms 72 attached ateach end of the telescoping cross bar 70, respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, the telescoping crossbar 70 comprises areceiving portion 80 and an insertion portion 79. The insertion portion79 and receiving portion 80 are preferably sized such that there is aclose fit when inserting the insertion portion 79 into the receivingportion 80. Preferably, the receiving portion 80 includes a movementlimiting mechanism 83, such as a fixed nut and bolt (83), or springloaded plunger (pop pin). When using a spring loaded plunger, theinsertion portion 79 should include at least one pin aperture 85 that iscapable of lining up with the tip of the spring loaded plunger.

At each distal end of the insertion portion 79 and receiving portion 80are at least one pivot tang 71. Also located at each distal end of theinsertion portion 79 and receiving portion 80 is a movement limitingplatform 82 and ladder insertion tangs 86. Preferably the ladderinsertion tangs 86 are attached to projecting tabs 87 on the distal endsand are inwardly directed.

Attached at each distal end of the telescoping crossbar 70 are pivotablearms 72. Each pivotable arm 72 has an arm body 74 that includes a pivotarm aperture 67 and at least one, preferably two, arms. In a preferredembodiment, the included angle between two pivot arms is 120°. Also, ina preferred embodiment, each arm has a cushion attached to a surfaceinclude in the included angle. The pivot arm body 74 is sized to fit thepivot arm aperture 73 between the pivot tangs 71 thereby allowing thepivot arm aperture 73 to line up co axially with apertures 67 in thepivot tangs 71.

There is a pivot pin 77 that inserts though the lined up pivot armaperture 73 and pivot tang apertures 67, thereby allowing the pivotablearm 72 to rotate about the pivot pin 77 relative to the telescopingcrossbar 70. In one version the pivot pin 77 is a bolt and nutcombination, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, but other forms of pivot pins77 may be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Finally, there is a securing bolt; preferably a T shaped bolt 83 thatthreads through the threaded aperture 84 and secures insertion portion79 that has been inserted in the receiving portion 80.

In use, the telescoping crossbar 70 is expanded to a first configurationthat is wider than a ladder. The ladder insertion tangs 86 are lined upwith an aperture that is located through a ladder rung. The telescopingcrossbar 70 is then collapsed to a second configuration wherein theladder insertion tangs 86 are received and located within the aperturethat is located through the ladder rung. The crossbar 70 is then securedinto position using the movement limiting mechanism 83, thereby securingthe device 10 onto the ladder.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in theDrawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While thesedescriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understoodthat those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/orvariations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Anysuch modifications or variations that fall within the purview of thisdescription are intended to be included therein as well. Unlessspecifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the wordsand phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s).The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of theinvention known to the applicant at the time of filing the applicationhas been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in the light of the above teachings. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application and to enableothers skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for securing ladders to a vehiclecomprising the steps of: a) providing a telescoping ladder rackcomprising a telescoping cross bar having pivotal arms pivotallyattached at each end of the telescoping cross bar, respectively, thetelescoping crossbar comprises a receiving portion and an insertionportion, the insertion portion and receiving portion sized such thatthere is a close fit when inserting the insertion portion into thereceiving portion, each pivotable arm has an arm body that includes apivot arm aperture, at each distal end of the insertion portion andreceiving portion are at least one pivot tang, also located at eachdistal end of the insertion portion and receiving portion is a ladderinsertion tang, the ladder insertion tangs are attached to projectingtabs on the distal ends and are inwardly directed, and the receivingportion includes a movement limiting mechanism; b) opening thetelescoping ladder rack to a first open position that is wider that aladder; c) lining the ladder insertion tangs up with an aperture that islocated through a ladder rung; d) collapsing the telescoping ladder rackto a second closed position where ladder insertion tangs are receivedand located within the aperture that is located through the ladder rung;and e) securing the crossbar in the second closed position using themovement limiting mechanism, thereby securing the device telescopingladder rack onto the ladder.
 2. The method according to claim 1 whereinthe telescoping ladder rack further comprises a movement limitingplatform located at each distal end of the insertion portion andreceiving portions.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein themovement limiting mechanism includes a T-shaped bolt or a spring loadedplunger.